In the middle of October the world ground to a halt. No, not quite, but to millions of BlackBerry users it seemed like it. For several days an outage caused users throughout Africa, the Middle East, Europe and South America to lose access to email and web-browsing facilities. BlackBerry’s popular BBM service was also unavailable. Research in Motion (RIM), the makers of the phone, attributed the problem to core and back-up switch failures.

It was another very public stumble for the Canadian company, once the world leader in smartphones. RIM has gone out of its way to apologise and compensate BlackBerry owners (particularly with free apps), but the crash was something it could ill afford – its stock has been steadily declining since reaching a high of almost CAN$150 in 2008 to around CAN$20 now, reflecting the pressure it is under by Apple’s iPhone and the other mobile manufacturers using Google’s Android operating system.

The use of smartphones has exploded across Africa and along with it the mobile data market. Analysts are forecasting spectacular growth for mobile broadband over the next few years across the continent with some estimates predicting the numbers of subscribers could grow from 12 million in 2010 to 265 million by 2015. Regulatory changes and more competition are helping drive a drop in price too, giving African consumers the chance to enjoy enhanced services. Our report on page 30 details the good news.

Staying on the smart subject, the article on page 40 investigates how African governments are utilising smartcard technology in a host of applications. ‘Thanks to smartcard technology official documents such as e-passports, e-IDs, e-driver’s licences and e-healthcare cards reach a new level of security,’ is the way one expert puts it.

We have the internet (yet again) to thank for rapid developments in an area dear to any businessperson’s heart – billing. Electronic billing has been around for a while in developed countries, but a range of issues has prevented its widespread application on the continent. That’s changing and the feature on page 46 has all the particulars.

Clouds in Africa usually conjure up a thunderstorm but not the one looming now. Cloud computing is one of those terms that has been bandied about for some time. In theory it should be ideal for Africa, with its less-than-perfect infrastructure, lack of ICT skilled workforce and weak financial clout – all problems cloud computing negates. There are of course many issues still to solve, but read the story on page 60 for some interesting insights into the practical developments.

Other topics under examination in this issue include tower sharing among mobile service providers (page 66), the state of ICT in diamond-rich Botswana (page 56) and we pose the question: how much potential is there in the pay-TV industry (page 73)? Plenty, it seems.

Patrick Farrell

Gizmos & gadgets – The latest hot technology

Sound bytes – News and developments from the industry

Radar – Arthur Goldstuck on mobile money

Growing alliance – Subex Vice-President Ashwin Chalapathy

All access – The mobile broadband market

Bright idea – Smartcard technology

Virtually connected – The ins and outs of e-billing

Diamond in the rough – Botswana strengthens its ICT skills

The forecast is clear – Cloud computing’s potential

Mobile division – Tower sharing benefits

On air – Looking at pay-TV

What’s on – Conferences and exhibitions

I wish that’s a quote that could be attributed to me. In fact, it was said by Wael Ghonim, who helped co-ordinate, via Facebook, the first mass rally against the regime in Egypt earlier this year. Ghonim, Google’s marketing manager, was jailed, but the wave of protest against the autocratic leadership of then president Hosni Mubarak had profound repercussions.

Within days of the first demonstrations hundreds of thousands of Egyptians had joined the anti-government movement and despite some strong-armed tactics against the populace, Mubarak was sidelined.

‘We would post a video on Facebook that would be shared by 60 000 people within a few hours,’ recalls Ghonim.

Just weeks before, another North African country, Tunisia, was also swept by a popular uprising, the beginning of the ‘Arab Spring’ that deposed the president. Like Egypt this revolt was helped by the spreading of information via social media. Facebook, Twitter and – not to forget – ‘plain old’ text messaging were the weapons of choice. Never before have humans had the ability to disseminate news and information so quickly and so simply – and it’s only going to become more significant in our lives. Africa has lagged somewhat behind the rest of the world but it is catching up fast, as ‘Power to the People’ reveals on page 73.

On the subject of Egypt, the land of the pharaohs is the focus of another of our features on page 58, this time detailing the efforts it has made on the ICT front. Realising the need to be highly competitive, the government began a series of programmes – many of them with business backing – to use ICT as the engine to help build a generation armed with modern skills.

Companies have been at the forefront of efforts. Intel, for example, has helped boost knowledge so that over 80 000 teachers have learnt how to bring technology into the classroom. Cisco too has created nearly 400 Networking Academies throughout the country.

On page 48 we investigate outsourcing and find out if it’s possible to have the best of both worlds while on pages 62 and 68, a couple of other modern business necessities, vehicle fleet tracking and data storage, come under the spotlight in ‘Eye in the Sky’ and ‘Getting Smarter with Data’.

We haven’t forgotten about VoIP either (although in the rush of new technologies some consider it old hat). Catch up with the latest on the subject on page 43.

Finally, back to the social networking expansion. Closely allied to the boom has been the rise of the smartphone. On the continent it’s not just about updating a Facebook page that makes them so attractive, but also their potential to run apps that allow small businesses quick and easy access to vital information. On page 30 we detail how uniquely African solutions are helping farmers with livestock and crop prices, as well as enabling people access to things like banking and medical advice.

Now that’s truly a revolution.

Patrick Farrell

Gizmos & gadgets – The latest hot technology

Sound bytes – News and developments from the industry

Radar – Arthur Goldstuck laying cables

Riding the new wave – Neotel CEO and MD Sunil Joshi

Joining the club – Smartphones and the mobile data market

Talking of the future – Where VoIP is header

Best of both worlds – The pros and cons of outsourcing

Pyramid schemes – Egypt’s ICT revolution

Eye in the sky – The necessity of fleet tracking

Getting smarter with data – Finding the right storage solution

Power to the people – Impact of social media

What’s on – Conferences and exhibitions

The need to cut down on crime is the subject of another of our features. This time we look at Rica, the South African act to prevent mobile phones being used by criminals. Read the article on page 73 to see the latest update.

The way the mobile phone market has exploded in Africa has been excellent for a variety of reasons. In previous years Africa wasn’t considered a target for the mobile phone marketers, with poverty and a lack of infrastructure cited as some of the problems. The continent has proved all that wrong. By the end of last year mobile phone subscriber numbers amounted to half a billion – and it’s mostly all down to prepaid, which seems perfect for low-income subscribers in particular. The perfection comes with some drawbacks too and we tackle those on page 30.

Phones are the first step on the ICT road but what about education? There are several projects ranging from cheap laptops to television learning programmes. Read our article on page 46 to get the full picture of the situation and how some clever schemes are paying dividends.

On the infrastructure front we reveal on page 60 that although the continent is fast catching up with the rest of the world it’s still between five to 10 years from being fully connected. When that happens the corresponding rise in social upliftment will be breathtaking.

One country that is experiencing that sort of ICT boom right now is Namibia, long renowned for its wide open spaces, wildlife and deserts. Our feature on page 52 details exactly how the Namibians are benefiting from their exposure to the West Africa Cable System, along with some innovative thinking on the part of government and business.

Partnerships have also reaped great rewards in other countries as telcos have linked up in creative collaborations in response to competitive forces. Read all about it on page 40.

Patrick Farrell

Gizmos & gadgets – The latest hot technology

Sound bytes – News and developments from the industry

Radar – Arthur Goldstuck on mobile’s potential

Destination future – Telkom Group CEO Nombulelo ‘Pinky’ Moholi

Pay it forward – Africa’s prepaid mobile market is booming

Allied forces – Telco partnerships

Connecting the dots – How ICT solutions can improve rural education

Desert rose – Namibia’s sterling ICT reputation

Cable ties – Undersea fibre infrastructure

Lock IT down – Cybercrime’s new platforms

First name basis – Looking at Rica

What’s on – Conferences and exhibitions

Hands up anyone who remembers British band The Tornados. A clue: it was 1962. No? Oh well. What about their hit single Telstar then? Shifted five million copies … first Brit band to crack No 1 in the US … jangly electronic instrumental … goes like this: Nah, nah, nah, nah nah nah nah nah naaaaah! It was supposed to evoke the dawn of the ‘space age’. In fact, it was named after the AT&T communications satellite that went into orbit in July of that year. Telstar – the satellite that is – relayed the first television pictures, phone calls and fax images, and supplied the first live Transatlantic TV feed from space.

Just under 50 years later, satellites are no longer a novelty to write pop tunes about – and there’s a lot more of them too. For African countries, with lengthy borders, inhospitable terrain and capitalisation issues, satellites will remain vitally important communications technology for many years to come. On page 28 Lance Harris investigates this crucial role. Over 35 new satellites will be launched by the end of 2013, at a cost of nearly US$4.5 billion and bringing the equivalent of 26.325 MHz of additional capacity to the continent. Good news indeed. We have further satellite-related articles beginning on pages 56 and 66.

Billions of dollars also come under the spotlight on page 36 where we explore whether buying low-priced computer hardware, software and accessories from the Far East rather than the US and Europe works out for Africa, or whether it’s a case of cheap in the short run but expensive in the long run. Talking of booming business, contact centres seem to be going from strength to strength in the region, but they will need to keep evolving. As an expert says in our article on page 46: ‘Today, for call centres to remain competitive, they need to embrace new technology platforms and examine ways in which to connect with customers.’

Mention Rwanda and the first thought is death and destruction. The infamous 100 days of genocide in 1994 left the country shattered, but over the past few years Rwanda has enjoyed political and social stability, allowing for the gradual rebuilding of many sectors. A standout success has been ICT. Between 2007 and 2009, for example, the industry attracted investments of more than US$500 million. More reports about IT and Rwanda can be found on page 52.

All across Africa millions of people use minibus taxis every day to get to and from work. It’s a captive audience ripe for entertainment. Or news. Or sport. Or education. Perhaps with a few advertisements thrown in? In theory Taxi TV should be a runaway hit. However, less than 1 500 minibuses in South Africa have been fitted with TV screens and no other African country has introduced it yet. It’s a classic case of a great, simple idea frustrated by technological shortcomings. How can it be solved? Our article on page 73 is a good place to start.

Patrick Farrell

Gizmos & gadgets – The latest hot technology

Sound bytes – News and developments from the industry

Radar – Arthur Goldstuck on mobile internet

Mission possible – SES vice-president of Sales, Africa, Nicolas Baravalle

Make space – Satellite continues to provide capacity

Bridging the gaps – Impact of low-cost technology

Calling the shots - Africa to host future contact centres

Business unusual – Rwanda races ahead with IT

Small wonders – Challenges of VSAT

No contest – Future expansion of satellite

Highway information – A look at taxi TV

What’s on – Conferences and exhibitions

On the subject of phones … the ubiquitous GPS has moved from the realm of military-only hardware tonow being almost standard in every phone and car. Its uses are not only restricted to the tourist navigating a hired vehicle along the African highways and byways (although obviously it has great benefits in that application), but also in a host of other uses. Read our feature on page 38 for an update.

Kenya is regarded as one of the most technologically developed countries on the continent. On page 54 Christo Valentyn investigates why. He shows that the government there has identified education as the sector ripe for attention. Their plans are advanced but not without problems. How the country is going about its ICT evolution makes for salutary lessons for the rest of Africa. Lessons also are to be learnt in the WiMAX roll-out across the continent. Licences, regulations and the cost implications are all probed in our article on page 58.

Not quite finally, as there’s a lot more in African Communications, we look at agriculture. This extremely important aspect of Africa is sometimes overlooked when the subject of ICT comes up. However, we’re pleased to report on page 67 how new technologies are helping farmers in almost every aspect of their businesses, from tracking herds of animals to monitoring soil erosion and dam levels and, of course, enabling produce to get to consumers with the minimum of hassle and spoilage. Now if we can just control the weather…

Patrick Farrell

Gizmos & gadgets - The latest hot technology

Sound bytes - News and developments from the industry

Radar - Arthur Goldstuck on a new era of connectivity

Chopra’s nirvana - Technotree COO Atul Chopra

Easy money – Secure mobile money transfers

Where in the world are you? – Africa’s GPS potential

Lighting up communications – Update on optical fibre technology

Break on through – Kenya strives for ICT development

The longest mile – WiMAX rollout

One small seed – IT and agriculture

Moving on up – The migration to LTE

What’s on – Conferences and exhibitions

A 2008 court case in South Africa has had an important spin-off for open peering. The precedent-setting ruling allowed two ISPs to carry traffic from each other’s networks with no bandwidth charges – effectively cutting out the telecoms middleman. See page 36 for more details on how smaller players are connecting among themselves.

The nearly three decades of civil war that followed Angola’s independence from Portugal in 1975 destroyed the economy of this West African country. Following the return of peace in 2002, Angola’s economy has boasted double-digit growth rates. Of course it faces some daunting challenges but it is admirable that the government has focused on building an information-based society, with science, mathematics and ICTs high on the list of desirable qualities for the new generation. Learn more about its aim of interconnecting the country through a fibre-optic backbone on page 50.

We have another innovative story on page 66 about an invention which is the brainchild of David Green, a medical doctor in Cape Town, South Africa. In short it’s the marrying of a pill bottle with an integrated SIM card. A transmitter tracks the opening of the bottle and analyses a patient’s medicine on a server, alerting medical staff if medicine is not taken.

Finally, on page 72 we have an update on the International Telecom-munication Union’s plan to change from analogue to digital television broadcasting. The 2015 deadline was hugely criticised, particularly as far as it pertained to Africa and the challenges presented by technology, licensing and infrastructure investment. We’re glad to report that common sense has prevailed and the roll-out on the continent has been given more of a breathing space.

PATRICK FARRELL

Gizmos & gadgets – The latest hot technology

Sound bytes – News and developments from the industry

Radar – Athur Goldstuck on Telkom

Line of vision – WIOCC CEO Chris Wood

Field of dreams – The continent’s telecoms potential

Peer pressure – Formalising open peering

Cell by rate – Update on the interconnection fees debacle

Growing pains – Angola strives for ICT development

Silver lining – Future communications solutions today

Dose of practicaility – Mobile tech is revolutionising e-health

One to watch – Will Africa meet the digital TV deadline

What’s on – Conferences and exhibitions

Technology is evolving at a pace many of us find hard to keep up with. This change is exciting but can also at times be nerve-racking, particularly when cyber criminals and identity thieves seem to be lurking around every corner, ready to pounce and spoil our enjoyment of the perks and efficiency of the tech world.

Wireless security is a matter of grave concern for the international ICT community. The situation is no different in Africa where this technology is becoming more and more popular and the question of securing these networks is of paramount importance if its many benefits are to be realised. Kevin Willemse identifies some of the pitfalls as well as offers some useful advice in his article on page 26.

Taking the concept of wireless access to a whole new level, ‘Hooked up’ on page 73 discusses how some African countries are creating wireless cities in an attempt to connect the masses. The Rwandan city of Kigali launched a project in December aimed at bringing high-speed connection to more than four million citizens – from schools and libraries to healthcare facilities and local government offices. Find out how successful this project has been and what plans other African countries and cities have afoot in this regard.

For many African states, particularly those landlocked countries, accessing the internet through the recently landed undersea cables is proving to be a challenge. In ‘Pulling it together’ on page 44 Gavin Barfield reports on the development of the Central African Backbone. This line will go some way towards extending Africa’s new-found connectivity from the coast where the cables land, into these internet-starved countries, opening the way to world standards of communication for the whole of Africa.

Kim Gurney investigates the high cost of internet access in Africa and why countries with the lowest income per capita have historically had some of the highest costs for access. In ‘Price check’ she puts the spotlight on companies that are offering cheaper and uncapped broadband access and looks at how and why it is that they are able to do so.

And it’s not just internet access that’s expensive. You may not be surprised to learn that Africans pay some of the highest phone call rates in the world. What is surprising, however, is the fact that international billing systems could be to blame. A lack of interconnectivity between networks results in continental calls regularly being routed through Europe and the US with the help of international satellites. And it’s the international carriers who are benefiting. On page 32 Lesley Stones takes us through the role that inefficient billing systems and equipment play in this price fiasco.

Possibly due to the high cost of phone calls, text messaging has quickly become a lifeline for the rural and urban poor in Africa, continually evolving its potential to connect people. In this edition we see how the humble text message is being utilised to its full potential and what some of the latest developments are – including the introduction of voice texting in Uganda. Read more on page 66 in ‘Short and sweet’.
With all of these amazing, cutting-edge developments taking place on African soil lets hope that these advances will be easily accessible and largely affordable.

Sadly, this is my last edition of African Communications. I have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure editing this magazine over the last 3½ years and wish my successor the best of luck and hope that they will get as much pleasure from the publication as I have.

JAMES RETIEF

Gizmos & gadgets – The latest hot technology

Sound bytes – News and developments from the industry

Radar – Arthur Goldstuck looks at the latest connectivity trends

Taking the world by storm – Suburban West Africa CEO Bruce Ayonote

Put ‘em up – The pros and cons of wireless security

An arm and a leg – The cost of calling in Africa

Pulling it together – Bringing the continent’s bandwidth inland

Bridging the digital divide – Zambia sets its sights on the future

Price check – Cheaper internet at last

Short and sweet – Text messaging in Africa

Hooked up – Wireless cities

What’s on – Conferences and exhibitions

Fifa’s sometimes seemingly unreasonable requirements for hosting the tournament fortunately include substantial ICT infrastructure upgrades and development. Running into millions of dollars, the legacy of this world-class infrastructure will serve South Africa and its many technology-, and in particular, broadband-starved users very well in the years to come. Read Kevin Willemse’s article on the facts and figures surrounding the ICT preparations for the 2010 tournament on page 45.

Africa is in the process of being ensconced in a cocoon of fibre-optic cable, linking the continent to the rest
of the world and providing reasonably priced and never-before-seen speed of access to the internet. While this is all wonderful news, the advantages of this infrastructure are restricted, to a great extent, to the urban areas. So what of those many millions of Africans living beyond the big cities where infrastructure is limited if not nonexistent? Well, this is where satellite technology comes into its own by virtue of the fact that its reach extends to the furthest corners of our continent. See Gavin Barfield’s article on the future of satellite technology in Africa on page 26.

Africa is waging a constant battle to stay abreast of technological advances in the rest of the world. Widespread poverty and an often dire lack of resources and infrastructure are blamed for the poor penetration of technology on the continent. While the concept of cloud computing is not necessarily cutting edge, it certainly is showing great promise for promoting the reasonably priced adoption and spread of technology in Africa. Is this the great hope for our people? Find out on page 34 in ‘Weather Report’.

One of the challenges posed by Africa to technology service providers is the vastly divergent needs of its users – from the basic telephony requirements of a rural village in Eritrea to the necessity for Wifi hotspots for commodities traders at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in South Africa. The challenges posed by these contrasting needs is what mobile phone manufacturers are facing – supplying both basic instruments and services while at the same time catering to the needs of those clients demanding a much higher level of service and technical sophistication. Read the article by Lesley Stones on page 66 for more insight into this mobile conundrum.

In an effort to provide services to as great a percentage of its population as possible, the Ugandan government, in collaboration with a leading satellite provider, recently established a relatively comprehensive e-government service, providing a means for both the government and the population of the country to interact with each other. The provision of e-government services is seen as a means to improve government transparency and accountability, promote democracy and transformation and enhance the lives of its citizens by improving service delivery standards, education and healthcare services. With a number of other African countries already experimenting or implementing e-government solutions, it seems as though it’s only a matter of time before the entire continent buys into the technology and its myriad advantages. Read ‘Open Access’ on page 56 for all the details.

While it’s still early days, 2010 seems to hold a lot of promise in terms of the growth and pervasion of ICT in Africa. So watch this space!

JAMES RETIEF

IN THIS EDITION:

Gizmos & gadgets – The latest hot technology

Sound bytes – News and developments from the industry

Radar – Arthur Goldstuck looks at the trends for 2010

Driving growth – O3b Networks Marketing Director Ladi Okuneye

The way forward – Satellite not old hat yet

Weather report – The future is cloud computing

A numbers game – 2010 Fifa World Cup tech stats

Marrakech express – Morocco on the fast track to internet success

Open access – e-Government initiatives

Ring throne – Smartphone technology in Africa

Cyber village – Mobile technology boosts agriculture

What’s on – Conferences and exhibitions

But no, of course they didn’t. South Africa is still woefully behind in the concept of a competitive market. So now it’s up to me to decide whether I want to go through the hassle of terminating my current subscription and signing up with another ISP offering a more palatable deal. It’s no surprise that any bother is far outstripped by my irritation with being taken for a ride, so the choice to change is easily made.

On the topic of competitive pricing, Kevin Willemse exposes the current debacle surrounding mobile interconnection rates in South Africa on page 26. With the country’s telecoms providers charging vastly inflated interconnection rates, a growing number of politicians are championing the cause of the consumer. While the telcos have agreed in principle to reduce these fees in a structured manner over a set period, some have been less than eager to provide exact figures. Let’s hope the battle doesn’t last too long.

Gavin Barfield investigates Africa’s existing and proposed undersea cables. Essentially by the time 2011 rolls around Africa should be fully connected and at international capacity standards. Read more about where we’re at and what to expect on page 66.

Long regarded as the powerhouse of Africa and the leader in terms of ICT development and infrastructure on the continent, South Africa seems to be losing some ground, and its charm as a business opportunity is starting to fade. As a result, many South African ICT companies are now looking beyond the country’s borders for investment opportunities. See what respected technology writer Lesley Stones has to say on the matter in her article on page 45.

While bridging the digital divide in Africa is regarded as one of the biggest challenges for the continent, it also poses many of the greatest opportunities. Georgina Guedes investigates some of these projects, including MTN’s Village Phone, mobile banking services and the dissemination of broadband. Follow the trends and developments on page 32.

So, while you peruse this edition I’ll busy myself with researching the various broadband deals on offer.
Hopefully next time I’ll have some good news for you.

JAMES RETIEF

I use my mobile phone to keep track of my schedule – both business and personal. I keep detailed records of all my contacts, use the memory card to store and transfer data, keep password protected records of insurance policies, credit card details and various membership numbers, all while regularly syncing with both my Mac and PC.

I also use the email functionality, albeit only in case of dire emergency.
I’m the person that uses the delay function on a washing machine and dishwasher, and programmes the oven to switch on and off automatically. I use all of the features on my convection microwave oven. I copy my CDs to my iPod and play them through my home entertainment system.

But while technology and its many uses appeals to me, I recently made a conscious effort to try and reduce its claustrophobic effect on my life. This has largely consisted of controlling the amount of information I’m exposed to on a daily basis and has been achieved by limiting the many methods of contacting me.

I have now whittled down contact options to: work and home landlines, work fax, mobile phone, work email, personal email, Skype, IM, Facebook and Linkedln. And that’s it. No more. I will not be accepting invitations to Twitter, natter, poke, goss, Badoo, share my astrological data, pet your panda, or take an IQ test. I’m done. If you or some source of information can’t reach me via one of these channels then that’s just too bad.

But now I have a question. There are two schools of thought – those that ask ‘How did we manage before mobile phones?’, and those that say ‘We managed just fine before mobile phones’.

So, were we productive? Did we manage to get everything done despite not having access to mobile phones and other forms of technology or were we just a bunch of slackers back then? Or is it perhaps that our measures of productivity are just very different now? Is being available 24/7 a sign of super productivity or just not having a life.

While all this technology purports to improve levels of productivity by improving networking and access to information, I think we walk a very fine line. Constant checking of status updates and friend requests, being poked and following all the twitters is not just time consuming but also, I find, distracting.

Maybe it’s a mindset though. Some people manage to function quite well while being bombarded with all of this information. For others, like me, it becomes too much and I start feeling as though I’m not focusing properly anymore. In the last 90 minutes I have received 49 emails … no wait, make that 52. No … 53. You get the picture. Then there are the landline calls, mobile phone calls, text messages, etc.

So, while to many people out there this might seem like stepping back into the Dark Ages, I’m very happy to have the breathing space and with it the time to speak to someone face to face (without constantly glancing at the screen of my mobile phone to make sure I haven’t missed a call or text message) and, perhaps even, write a letter – with a pen … on paper.

JAMES RETIEF